Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41453210›Full record

ReviewFEMS microbiology reviews2026

Beyond reverse transcription: molecular mechanisms and emerging paradigms in retroviral replication.

Mohammad Abdullah Jehad, Lizna M Ali, Vineeta N Pillai, Suresha G Prabhu, Farah Mustafa, Tahir A Rizvi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in FEMS microbiology reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mohammad Abdullah JehadDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Lizna M AliDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Vineeta N PillaiDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Suresha G PrabhuDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Farah MustafaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0002-1081-3756
Tahir A RizviDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0002-2572-1678

Funding

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University 12M103College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University 12M215College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University NP-24-09United Arab Emirates University 12M136United Arab Emirates University 12M218United Arab Emirates University 21M187
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Retroviruses are exclusive group of positive-sense RNA viruses defined by their ability to reverse transcribe their RNA genome and integrate it into the host's chromosomal DNA. This distinctive replication strategy enables persistent infection and has profoundly shaped our understanding of molecular biology, gene regulation, and evolution. Retroviruses have contributed to landmark discoveries, including the identification of oncogenes, mechanisms of transcriptional control, and the development of gene therapy vectors. This review provides an updated overview of retroviral molecular biology, emphasizing the coordinated steps of the viral life cycle and emerging insights that are reshaping classical models. It explores virion structure, genome organization, and the interplay of cis-acting sequences and trans-acting factors that govern replication. Special focus is given to recent advances in understanding nuclear trafficking of capsids, spatial dynamics of reverse transcription and integration leading to provirus formation, RNA nuclear export, and selective genome packaging. The structural and functional roles of viral proteins, particularly Gag, are discussed in the context of assembly and maturation. By integrating foundational concepts with new discoveries, this review highlights the molecular sophistication of retroviral replication and identifies outstanding questions that guide future research, with implications extending to antiviral strategies, gene therapy, cancer biology, and evolution.

Indexed as

RetroviridaeReverse TranscriptionVirus ReplicationAnimalsGenome, ViralHumansbudding and maturationclassification and nomenclatureintegrationnuclear exportretrovirusesreverse transcriptionRNA packagingtranscriptiontranslationvirion assembly

Identifiers

PMID41453210
PMCPMC12789967

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.